Concerns of varying cities still the same

Wednesday

Jun 18, 2014 at 1:01 AM

About a week ago, the Governor of the State of Wyoming, Governor Matt Mead traveled to the city of Longview, Washington to deliberate with elected officials in the State of Washington on current issues of the day. Upon his return, I was privileged to ask Governor Mead a question. I asked Gov. Mead what he learned from his trip and what knowledge from it will be used in governmental decision-making? Governor Mead responded to my question by saying that the two main topics he discussed were: Coal, as a continuing and much-needed energy-source throughout the United States. Secondly, he said the other topic was striving to "keep Railroad main-lines open" and clear to ship goods and cargo throughout the nation, from Ocean-to-Ocean and from Border-to-Border .

It strikes me as significant that Longview, Washington ; Cheyenne, Wyoming; and Newton, Kansas ALL have similar concerns. "Energy" is what keeps America moving. While I am supportive of renewable energies such as wind-turbines and solar-panels, I am cognizant that the immense amounts of land to install such devices would take up huge tracts of land. Governor Mead even quoted fractions of the entirety of some small U.S. States. Therefore, due to the lack of feasibility: For now, we MUST rely on conventional sources such as domestic oil, natural-gas and clean coal. It just goes to show that we do not live in an isolated place. Millions of Americans depend on available and affordable energy with their cars, their homes, and their businesses. Meanwhile Kansas Governor Sam Brownback is a bit wishy-washy by touting his support for various means of new energy, yet he is somewhat complacent about broadening conventional energy systems. Plus, he is almost silent on the issue of conservation and carpooling. Brownback is also largely silent about passenger-rail service except for Amtrak. I believe that passenger-rail would succeed in some select areas of Kansas IF it were PRIVATELY-operated. All topics need to be on the table. Let's try to keep our focus on what is viable and vital to today's needs in Kansas and in the rest of America.